Enhanced vehicle operation

ABSTRACT

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to heat a passenger cabin of a vehicle and to actuate a vehicle security subsystem to prevent entry into the vehicle upon initiation of a cabin sanitizing operation, wherein the sanitizing operation includes actuating a heater to heat the passenger cabin above a temperature threshold.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles can be equipped with computers, networks, sensors andcontrollers to acquire data regarding the vehicle's environment and tooperate the vehicle based on the data. For example, the computer canactuate one or more components to control a temperature of a passengercabin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example system for controlling cabintemperature in a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example vehicle that includes the system ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a view of a passenger cabin of the vehicle of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example process for heating the vehicle ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example process for determining an initiationtime to heat the vehicle of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example process for sanitizing a surface in avehicle.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example process for actuating a securitysubsystem in the vehicle of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example process for operating a climatecontrol component of the vehicle of FIG. 2 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction

Reducing pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, in a vehicle canreduce transmission of the pathogens to users of the vehicle. Heat canreduce pathogens, and thus increasing a temperature of air in thevehicle, e.g., in a vehicle cabin, cargo compartment, etc., can reducepathogens in the vehicle. For example, increasing ambient temperature ina closed space such as a vehicle passenger cabin above a specifiedthreshold, e.g., 133 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 56 degreesCelsius), can eliminate various pathogens, including strains of bacteriaand viruses. Maintaining ambient temperature at or above this thresholdfor a specified amount of time, e.g., 15 minutes, can reduce pathogensin the vehicle such that users who contact surfaces in the vehicle wouldnot likely receive, i.e., inhale, absorb, or carry on their skin,clothing, etc., live pathogens from the surfaces, reducing transmissionof the pathogens.

Vehicles include a plurality of components that can provide heat to apassenger cabin. For example, a climate control component can heat airwith excess heat from a propulsion engine and/or a heater. In anotherexample, a heating mechanism such as an electric wire or metallicparticles embedded in a window can increase a temperature of glass,e.g., surrounding the wire or the areas with embedded metalizedparticles, thus reducing pathogens on a surface of the glass. A computerin the vehicle can control one or more components to heat the passengercabin to reduce the pathogens. Different components can heat thepassenger cabin in different ways and/or at different rates. Forexample, the electric wire or metallic particles embedded in the windowcan heat the glass of the window, while a fuel-operated heater in thepassenger cabin can heat air in the passenger cabin and graduallyincrease the temperature of all cabin surfaces. It is a challenge forthe computer to determine which components to actuate to heat eachportion of the passenger cabin to reduce the pathogens. This presents atechnical challenge for the computer. For example, because differentportions of the vehicle may heat at different rates, determining thecomponents to heat the entire vehicle to account for the differentheating rates can be difficult without obtaining and consideringadditional data about, e.g., the temperature of specific surfaces of thevehicle, ambient environment conditions that can slow heating of thevehicle, etc.

Planning vehicle component actuation to heat a vehicle compartment basedon user input, ambient environmental data, and temperature data ofspecific parts of the vehicle allows the computer to heat the entirepassenger cabin to reduce the pathogens. That is, the computer can usedata from one or more, and typically a plurality of, sources of input todetermine one or more components to actuate to heat the vehicle.Selective actuation of components for heating allows for a more energyefficient heating of the vehicle than actuating the components withoutthe data from the plurality of sources. Using heat sources external tothe vehicle, such as insolation from the sun and ambient air, canimprove heating of the vehicle when used in conjunction with componentsin the vehicle by reducing the output from the components. Thus, thepresently disclosed system can reduce the pathogens in the vehicle priorto use by a user.

System Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for operating a vehicle 105. Acomputer 110 in the vehicle 105 is programmed to receive collected datafrom one or more sensors 115. For example, vehicle data may include alocation and orientation of the vehicle 105, data about an environmentaround a vehicle 105, data about an object outside the vehicle 105 suchas another vehicle 105, etc. A vehicle location is typically provided ina conventional form, e.g., geo-coordinates such as latitude andlongitude coordinates obtained via a navigation system that uses theGlobal Positioning system (GPS). Further examples of data can includemeasurements of vehicle systems and components, e.g., a vehiclevelocity, a vehicle trajectory, etc.

The computer 110 is generally programmed for communications on a vehiclenetwork, e.g., including a conventional vehicle communications bus suchas a CAN bus, LIN bus, etc., and or other wired and/or wirelesstechnologies, e.g., Ethernet, Bluetooth®, Ultra Wideband (UWB), WIFI,LiFi, ultrasonic communication, etc. Via the network, bus, and/or otherwired or wireless mechanisms (e.g., a wired or wireless local areanetwork in the vehicle 105), the computer 110 may transmit messages tovarious devices in a vehicle 105 and/or receive messages from thevarious devices, e.g., controllers, actuators, sensors 115, etc.Alternatively, or additionally, in cases where the computer 110 actuallycomprises multiple devices, the vehicle network may be used forcommunications between devices represented as the computer 110 in thisdisclosure. The computer 110 can be a generic computer 110 with aprocessor and memory as described above and/or may include a dedicatedelectronic circuit including an ASIC (Application Specific IntegratedCircuit) that is manufactured for a particular operation, e.g., an ASICfor processing sensor data and/or communicating the sensor data. Inanother example, the computer 110 may include an FPGA(Field-Programmable Gate Array) which is an integrated circuitmanufactured to be configurable by a user. Typically, a hardwaredescription language such as VHDL (Very High Speed Integrated CircuitHardware Description Language) is used in electronic design automationto describe digital and mixed-signal systems 100 such as FPGA and ASIC.For example, an ASIC is manufactured based on VHDL programming providedpre-manufacturing, whereas logical components inside an FPGA may beconfigured based on VHDL programming, e.g. stored in a memoryelectrically connected to the FPGA circuit. In some examples, acombination of processor(s), ASIC(s), and/or FPGA circuits may beincluded in computer 110.

In addition, the computer 110 may be programmed for communicating withthe network 125, which, as described below, may include various wiredand/or wireless networking technologies, e.g., cellular, Bluetooth®,Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), wired and/or wireless packet networks suchas Ultra Wideband (UWB), WIFI, LiFi, ultrasonic communication, etc.

The memory can be of any type, e.g., flash, hard disk drives, solidstate drives, servers, or any volatile or non-volatile media. The memorycan store the collected data sent from the sensors 115. The memory canbe a separate device from the computer 110, and the computer 110 canretrieve data stored by the memory via a network in the vehicle 105,e.g., over a CAN bus, a wireless network, etc. Alternatively, oradditionally, the memory can be part of the computer 110, e.g., as amemory of the computer 110.

Sensors 115 can include a variety of devices that collect data. Forexample, various controllers in a vehicle 105 may operate as sensors 115to provide data via the vehicle network or bus, e.g., data relating tovehicle speed, acceleration, location, orientation, subsystem and/orcomponent status, etc. Further, other sensors 115 could include cameras,motion detectors, etc., i.e., sensors 115 to provide data for evaluatinga position of a component, evaluating a slope of a roadway, etc. Thesensors 115 could, without limitation, also include short range radar,long range radar, LIDAR, and/or ultrasonic transducers.

Collected data can include a variety of data collected in a vehicle 105.Examples of collected data are provided above, and moreover, data aregenerally collected using one or more sensors 115, and may additionallyinclude data calculated therefrom in the computer 110, and/or at theserver. In general, collected data may include any data that may begathered by the sensors 115 and/or computed from such data.

The vehicle 105 can include one or more sensors 115 that detect objectsexternal to the vehicle 105. In one example, the sensors 115 can includea proximity motion sensor 115. A “proximity motion” sensor 115 is asensor 115 that detects movement within a predetermined distance fromthe sensor 115. That is, the proximity motion sensor 115 can use aFresnel lens with a pair of slots in a field of view of the lens thatdetect electromagnetic (EM) waves, e.g., infrared (IR) waves. When theproximity motion sensor 115 detects IR waves through one of the pair ofslots and not the other pair of slots (e.g., from a moving object), theproximity motion sensor 115 detects a difference in IR waves collectedby each slot. When the difference in IR exceeds a threshold, thecomputer 110 can determine that an object moved into the field of viewof the sensor 115. The threshold can be a predetermined value based onempirical testing of test objects moving at specified speeds past theproximity motion sensor 115. The proximity motion sensor 115 can beprogrammed with a plurality of thresholds to detect objects withdifferent sensitivities. That is, each threshold can detect motion ofobjects above a respective specified speed. In another example, thesensors 115 can include a camera, i.e., a sensor 115 that collects imagedata.

A vehicle 105 can operate in one of a fully autonomous mode, asemiautonomous mode, or a non-autonomous mode. A fully autonomous modeis defined as one in which each of vehicle 105 propulsion (typically viaa powertrain including an electric motor and/or internal combustionengine), braking, and steering are controlled by the computer 110 of thevehicle 105. A semi-autonomous mode is one in which at least one ofvehicle 105 propulsion (typically via a powertrain including an electricmotor and/or internal combustion engine), braking, and steering arecontrolled at least partly by the computer 110 as opposed to a humanoperator. In a non-autonomous mode, i.e., a manual mode, the vehicle 105propulsion, braking, and steering are controlled by the human operator.

The computer 110 can actuate a vehicle security subsystem 120 to preventmobility of the vehicle 105. A “vehicle security subsystem” 120 is adevice and/or programming of the computer 110 that performs an action toprevent access to the passenger cabin 200 and/or prevent mobility of thevehicle 105 and/or detect an object that could interfere with operationof the vehicle 105. The vehicle security subsystem 120 provides securityfor the user of the vehicle 105 by identifying and/or preventing threatsto the vehicle 105 and preventing unauthorized access to a cabin of thevehicle 105 and/or preventing the vehicle 105 from unauthorized movingduring the sanitizing operation.

The system 100 can further include a network 125 connected to a server130. The computer 110 can further be programmed to communicate with oneor more remote sites such as the server 130, via the network 125, suchremote site possibly including a processor and a memory. The network 125represents one or more mechanisms by which a vehicle 105 computer 110may communicate with a remote server 130. Accordingly, the network 125can be one or more of various wired or wireless communicationmechanisms, including any desired combination of wired (e.g., cable andfiber) and/or wireless (e.g., cellular, wireless, satellite, microwave,and radio frequency) communication mechanisms and any desired network125 topology (or topologies when multiple communication mechanisms areutilized). Exemplary communication networks 125 include wirelesscommunication networks 125 (e.g., using Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® LowEnergy (BLE), Ultra Wideband (UWB), IEEE 802.11, LiFi, ultrasoniccommunication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) such as Dedicated Short RangeCommunications (DSRC), etc.), local area networks (LAN) and/or wide areanetworks (WAN), including the Internet, providing data communicationservices.

The portable device 135 may be any one of a variety of devices, such ascomputing devices including a processor and a memory, that havecommunication capabilities to communicate over the network 125. Forexample, the portable device 135 may be a wearable device, e.g. a watchor a smart watch, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant,a watch-phone pairing, a vibrating apparatus, etc. that includescapabilities for wireless communications using IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth®,UWB, NFC, and/or cellular communications protocols. Further, theportable device 135 may use such communications capabilities tocommunicate directly with a vehicle computer 110, e.g., usingBluetooth®.

Vehicle Heating and Sanitizing

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example vehicle 105. The vehicle 105includes a passenger cabin 200. The passenger cabin 200 is an interiorportion of the vehicle 105 that can be occupied by users of the vehicle105. Air and surfaces in the passenger cabin 200 can be heated or cooledto a specific temperature, e.g., set according to user input to avehicle climate control system. The computer 110 can communicate via avehicle network with one or more components, controllers, and/ordevices, as described below, to increase a temperature of air in thepassenger cabin 200.

The computer 110 can sanitize the vehicle 105 according to a sanitizingoperation. In this context, to “sanitize” the vehicle 105 means toreduce pathogens to below a specified level, e.g., by increasing atemperature of air in the passenger cabin 200 of the vehicle 105 above atemperature threshold and maintaining the temperature of the air abovethe temperature threshold for an elapsed time exceeding a timethreshold. The temperature threshold and time threshold are typicallyselected to cause reduction or even elimination of pathogens. A“pathogen” is an organism that can cause a disease, e.g., a virus, abacterium, a fungus, a parasite, etc. A “sanitizing operation” meansactuating components, controllers, and/or devices to sanitize thevehicle 105. The temperature threshold can be a temperature at which theheat reduces an amount of a pathogen (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.).The time threshold can be a specified period of time for the pathogen tobe reduced to a specified amount at a temperature at or above thetemperature threshold. Such times and temperatures are known for a widevariety of pathogens. To provide just one example, if the pathogen is avirus, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) aboutSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus survivability, thetemperature threshold can be 133 degrees Fahrenheit (56 degrees Celsius)and the time threshold can be 15 minutes to eliminate 10000 viruses.Thus, in one example, to sanitize the vehicle 105, the computer 110 canheat air in the interior of the vehicle 105 to a temperature above 133degrees Fahrenheit and maintain the temperature for at least 15 minutes.In another example, the computer 110 can heat air in the interior of thevehicle 105 for a duration empirically determined to also allow targetsurfaces to achieve the specified temperature. That is, an airtemperature can change more rapidly than surface temperatures becausethe surfaces have greater masses and thermal conductivities than the airin the passenger cabin 200. Sanitizing of at least some surfaces can beassisted by direct sunlight, which can increase heating of the surfaces,and other surfaces may heat more slowly if obscured from sunlight byshade. When the elapsed time exceeds the time threshold, the computer110 can deactivate the components, controllers, and/or devices describedabove to allow the passenger cabin to cool.

The computer 110 can increase the temperature of the passenger cabin200. The vehicle 105 can include one or more heater(s) 205. A heater 205is a device that increases its temperature to increase the temperatureof a working fluid. For example, a heater 205 can include resistivecoils that, when electricity flows through the resistive coils,generates heat to heat surrounding air. In another example, a heater 205can include a burner for a combustible fuel (e.g., gasoline, naturalgas, etc.) that, upon combusting, generates heat. Air heated by a heater205 can be pumped to heat, e.g., the passenger cabin 200. Alternatively,or additionally, a heater 205 can be a device located in the passengercabin 200, part of a climate control component, as described below,and/or the heater 205 can be a heating element installed in one or moreparts of the passenger cabin 200, e.g., a heating element in a seat, aheating element in a steering wheel, etc.

The computer 110 can predict an ambient temperature at a location of thevehicle 105. The “ambient temperature” of a location of the vehicle 105,sometimes referred to as ambient environmental temperature, or ambienttemperature of the environment, is the temperature of the air externalto the vehicle 105. The computer 110 can determine the ambient airtemperature of an environment with, e.g., a temperature sensor 115.Alternatively, or additionally, the computer 110 can receive the ambienttemperature from a remote server 130 via the network 125. The computer110 can predict a time to heat the passenger cabin based on thepredicted ambient temperature using, e.g., insolation, the position ofthe sun, the location of the vehicle 105, etc., input to conventionalthermal models. That is, the computer 110 can use the conventionalthermal models to predict the increase in temperature of the passengercabin 200 caused by the ambient temperature and other environmentalfactors. For example, if the ambient temperature is predicted todecrease, the computer 110 can determine candidate initiation times thatwould allow the heater 205 to heat the passenger cabin 200 for a longerperiod of time than if the ambient temperature is predicted to remainstatic or increase. The computer 110 can output the ambient temperature,insolation data (e.g., from an insolation model), and the predicted timeto heat the passenger cabin 200 to the user.

The vehicle 105 can include a transmission 210. The transmission 210 isarranged to transfer output from a propulsion subsystem 215 to wheels ofthe vehicle 105. For example, the transmission 210 can include one ormore gears that transfer output of the propulsion subsystem 215 to thewheels. The transmission 210 can transfer the output in one of aplurality of operation modes. An “operation mode” is a configuration ofthe transmission 210 that provides a specific output from the propulsionsubsystem 215 to the wheels. For example, in a “park” operation mode,the transmission 210 provides no output from the propulsion subsystem215 to the wheels which prevents movement of the wheels. In anotherexample, in a “neutral” operation mode, the transmission 210 provides nooutput from the propulsion subsystem 215 to the wheels but allowsmovement of the wheels. In another example, in a “drive” operation mode,the transmission 210 transfers output from the propulsion subsystem 215to the wheels. The computer 110 can restrict the transmission 210 to thepark mode to prevent mobility of the vehicle 105. In this context,“mobility” is the ability for the vehicle 105 to move from a currentposition. That is, when the transmission 210 is restricted to the parkmode, the computer 110 ignores input to move the transmission 210 to adifferent transmission mode. Restricting the transmission 210 to thepark mode prevents mobility of the vehicle 105 during a sanitizingoperation. If the vehicle 105 is operating in a fully autonomous modewithout users in the passenger cabin 200, the computer 110 can allowoperation of the transmission 210 to, e.g., perform the sanitizingoperation while the vehicle 105 is in motion.

The vehicle 105 can include the propulsion subsystem 215. The propulsionsubsystem 215 propels the vehicle 105. That is, the propulsion subsystem215 converts electrical energy from an electric motor and/or chemicalenergy from a combustible fuel to rotation of wheels via thetransmission 210. The propulsion subsystem 215 can be one or more of,e.g., an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, etc. Thepropulsion subsystem 215 can include engine coolant to cool thepropulsion subsystem 215. When the engine coolant cools the propulsionsubsystem 215, the temperature of the engine coolant increases. That is,the engine coolant can receive heat from the propulsion subsystem 215via, e.g., a heat exchanger. Air can enter the propulsion subsystem 215(or a housing or compartment thereof) through an opening in a vehicleexterior surface, e.g., a front grill of the vehicle 105; air flow tothe propulsion subsystem 215 in such example is shown in FIG. 2 asarrows labeled A₁. The computer 110 can use both the heater 205 and thepropulsion subsystem 215 to perform the sanitizing operation faster thanusing either the heater 205 or the propulsion system 215 alone.

The vehicle 105 can include a door latch 220 for a vehicle door 225. Thedoor latch 220 secures the door 225 to the rest of the vehicle body,preventing entry into and/or exit from the vehicle 105. The door latch220 can be disposed on an exterior portion of the door 225 and caninclude an exterior door handle. The user can pull on the exterior doorhandle to engage the door latch 220 to unlatch the door 225.Alternatively, or additionally, the door latch 220 can be disposed in aninterior portion of the door 225 and include an interior door handle.The user can pull on the interior door handle to engage the latch 220 tounlatch the door 225.

The door latch 220 can include an internal lock. The internal lock canprevent unlatching of the door 225 to secure the door 225 to the vehiclebody, preventing opening of the door 225 from the passenger cabin 200.That is, the internal lock can include a pawl (not shown) that engages astriker (not shown) to secure the door 225 to the vehicle body. Theinternal lock can be actuated to a “double-lock” mode. In thedouble-lock mode, the pawl engages the striker to prevent opening of thedoor 225 from both the external door handle and the internal doorhandle. That is, in the double-lock mode, the door 225 cannot be openedby the external door handle or the internal door handle. The double-lockmode prevents opening of the door 225, preventing the heated air of thepassenger cabin 200 from exiting. In another example, the door latch 220can be a fully electronic door latch 220 (i.e., an “e-Latch”), and thecomputer 110 can suppress powering of a release motor of the e-Latchduring the sanitizing operation to prevent unlatching and opening of thedoor 225.

The computer 110 can actuate the internal lock or inhibit release of thee-Latch as described above while the temperature of the passenger cabin200 exceeds the threshold. The computer 110 can release the internallock or allow release of the e-Latch when the temperature of thepassenger cabin 200 falls below the second threshold. Alternatively, oradditionally, the computer 110 can release the internal lock or allowrelease of the e-Latch upon receiving a request from an user external tothe vehicle 105, e.g., via input to a portable device 135 wirelesslyprovided to the computer 110, e.g., via Bluetooth® or the like. Thecomputer 110 can actuate the internal lock or suppress release of thee-Latch in a double-lock mode, i.e., preventing unlocking or unlatchingof the door 225 from both the external door handle or the internal doorhandle of the door latch 220.

The computer 110 can be programmed to confirm that criteria are metand/or to meet criteria for initiating a sanitization process. Forexample, the computer 110 can be programmed to enclose the passengercabin 200 and prevent mobility of the vehicle 105 prior to theidentified initiation time. Enclosing the passenger cabin 200 preventsheated air from exiting the passenger cabin 200. Heated air exiting thepassenger cabin 200 can decrease the temperature of the passenger cabin200, preventing sanitization and/or causing the heater 205 to increaseoutput and lengthening the sanitizing operation longer than thesanitizing operation would occur for an enclosed passenger cabin 200.Preventing mobility of the vehicle 105 prevents other users from movingthe vehicle 105 and/or disturbing the sanitizing operation. For example,the computer 110 can actuate one or more motors to close the windows ofthe vehicle 105. In another example, the computer 110 can restrict thetransmission 210 to the park mode, as described above. In anotherexample, the computer 110 can determine that the vehicle 105 is in a“safe” location, i.e., a location at which the vehicle 105 is unlikelyto be disturbed during the sanitizing operation. In another example, thecomputer 110 can actuate a power door component to close the doors 225.

The vehicle 105 can include a climate control component 230. The climatecontrol component 230 can include an air blower 235 and an air pump 240.The climate control component 230 can control the temperature of thepassenger cabin 200. For example, a user can actuate the climate controlcomponent 230 to maintain a specified temperature of the passenger cabin200, e.g., 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The climate control components 230typically includes one or more devices to control the temperature of thepassenger cabin 200, e.g., the heater 205, a compressor to cool air, theair blower 235 to provide the heated or cooled air to the passengercabin, a human-machine interface (HMI) to receive user input indicatinga specified cabin temperature, an electronic controller that isprogrammed to actuate the heater 205, the compressor, and the air blower235, etc. Upon receiving user input indicating a specified cabintemperature, the computer 110 can actuate the heater 205 or thecompressor to heat or cool air. The computer 110 can actuate the airblower 235 to provide the heated or cooled air to the passenger cabin200, increasing or decreasing the temperature of the passenger cabin 200to the specified cabin temperature. The computer 110 can actuate theheater 205 or the compressor according to a conventional heating andcooling algorithm, e.g., proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control.

The climate control component 230 can use heat from the heated enginecoolant to heat the passenger cabin 200. Alternatively, or additionally,the climate control component 230 can use heat from the heater 205 toheat the passenger cabin 200. The air blower 235 moves air from thepropulsion 215 and/or the heater 205 to the passenger cabin 200 to heatthe passenger cabin 200. The air pump 240 allows air to exit thepassenger cabin 200. That is, the air blower 235 is arranged to provideheated air to the passenger cabin 200 and the air pump 240 is arrangedto provide air flow into and out from the passenger cabin 200. The airpump 240 can be, e.g., a motorized air extractor that uses a motor tomove air out the passenger cabin 200, move air into the passenger cabin200, close one or more louvers, and/or open one or more louvers to allowmovement of the air by air pressure generated by the air blower 235. Airflow to the air blower 235 is shown as arrows in FIG. 2 labeled A₂. Ifthe ambient external air temperature exceeds the temperature of the airin the passenger cabin, the computer 110 can actuate the motor of theair pump 240 to introduce air external to the vehicle 105. That is, thecomputer 110 can introduce air that is hotter than the air of thepassenger cabin 200, heating the passenger cabin 200. Alternatively, ifthe ambient external air temperature is below the temperature of the airin the passenger cabin, the computer 110 can close all external airpassages (e.g., windows, doors, louvers, etc.) to minimize exhausting ofair in the passenger cabin 200 during the sanitizing operation. That is,closing the external air passages prevents air from exiting thepassenger cabin 200 during the sanitizing operation, preventingpathogens in the air from exiting the vehicle and reducing heat lossfrom the passenger cabin 200. The computer 110 can close the externalair passages upon detecting pedestrians within a distance threshold ofthe vehicle 105, e.g., 2 meters.

The computer 110 can suppress a climate control limiter of the climatecontrol component 230. The “climate control limiter” is programming ofan electronic controller of the climate control component 230 thatprevents the air blower 235 from operating when an engine coolanttemperature exceeds a temperature threshold. That is, the climatecontrol limiter prevents heating operation of the climate controlcomponent 230 when heating may not be required (e.g., during hot summerweather) and prevents cooling operation of the climate control component230 when cooling may not be required (e.g., during cold winter weather).Upon suppressing the climate control limiter, the computer 110 canactuate the air blower 235 of the climate control component 230 toprovide air to the heater 205 to heat the passenger cabin 200.

Upon suppressing the climate control limiter, the computer 110 canactuate a motor on the air pump 240 to introduce air external to thevehicle 105 to the passenger cabin. The external air can be warmer thanthe air in the vehicle 105, and the air pump 240 can introduce thewarmer external air to the heater 205 to heat the passenger cabin 200more quickly than using the air in the vehicle 105. Alternatively, oradditionally, the computer 110 can actuate the window when thetemperature of air external to the vehicle 105 exceeds the temperatureof the passenger cabin 200. Yet alternatively or additionally, thecomputer 110 can actuate the air pump 240 to remove air from thepassenger cabin 200 that is cooler than the external air.

The computer 110 can actuate the climate control limiter when thetemperature of the passenger cabin 200 exceeds a second temperaturethreshold. After sanitizing the vehicle 105, the computer 110 no longerneeds to actuate the climate control component 230 to heat the passengercabin 200, and the computer 110 can actuate the climate control limiterto prevent the air blower 235 from operating. That is, the computer 110can return the climate control component 230 to a default setting inwhich the climate control limiter limits operation of the air blower235.

The computer 110 can actuate the air pump 240 to remove air from thepassenger cabin 200 when the temperature of the passenger cabin exceedsthe temperature threshold. That is, the computer 110 can remove air fromthe passenger cabin 200 when the temperature of the passenger cabinexceeds the temperature threshold for a period of time exceeding thetime threshold and completing the sanitizing operation. After sanitizingthe vehicle 105, the computer 110 can actuate the air pump 240 to purgethe heated air from the passenger cabin 200, replacing the heated airwith cooler air external to the vehicle 105, reducing the temperature ofthe passenger cabin 200. The purged air is shown in FIG. 2 with arrowslabeled A₃. Purging the hot air from the passenger cabin 200 cools thepassenger cabin 200 more quickly than allowing the hot air to remain inthe passenger cabin 200. Alternatively, or additionally, the computer110 can actuate the air blower 235 to introduce air external to thevehicle 105 to the passenger cabin 200, cooling the passenger cabin 200.

The computer 110 can transition the climate control component 230 from arecirculation mode in which air in the passenger cabin 200 isreintroduced to the climate control component 230 to an external mode inwhich the air blower 235 and the air pump 240 to purge the air from thepassenger cabin 200 and introduce external air to the passenger cabin200. The computer 110 can transition the climate control component 230from the recirculation mode upon determining that the user will use thevehicle 105 before the heated air in the passenger cabin 200 can coolbelow the second temperature threshold. Additionally, or alternatively,the computer 110 can, at the beginning of the sanitizing operation,transition the climate control component 230 from the recirculation modeif the temperature of the external air exceeds the temperature of theair in the passenger cabin 200. Then, during the sanitizing operation,when the temperature of the air in the passenger cabin 200 exceeds thetemperature of the external air, the computer 110 can transition theclimate control component 230 to the recirculation mode to keep theheated air in the vehicle 105.

The computer 110 can determine whether the vehicle 105 is in an enclosedspace. An “enclosed space” is a space that includes one or more barriersto limit flow of air external to the vehicle. The enclosed space can be,e.g., a garage, a parking structure, etc. The computer 110 can actuateone or more sensors 115 to detect the barriers that limit air flow,e.g., walls, a ceiling, etc. If the computer 110 determines that thevehicle 105 is in an enclosed space, the computer 110 can suppressoperation of an internal combustion engine the propulsion subsystem 215to prevent exhaust from accumulating in the enclosed space.

Vehicle Passenger Cabin

FIG. 3 is a view of the passenger cabin 200 of the vehicle 105. Thepassenger cabin 200 includes a plurality of components and/or devicesthat the computer 110 can actuate to heat the passenger cabin 200. Thevehicle 105 can include a thermal sensor 115. The thermal sensor 115collects temperature data from surfaces in the passenger cabin 200. A“surface” is a part of a component or other part of the vehicle 105exposed to the air of the passenger cabin 200. The user may come intophysical contact with one or more of the surfaces, contacting pathogensthat may be on the surfaces. The thermal sensors 115 can be disposed inthe passenger cabin 200 to collect temperature data on surfaces in thepassenger cabin 200. For example, the thermal sensors 115 can bedisposed on an interior ceiling of the passenger cabin 200 such that therespective fields of view of the thermal sensors 115 collect data ofsurfaces in the passenger cabin. Alternatively, or additionally, thethermal sensors 115 can be disposed on, e.g., a pillar, a dashboard, aninstrument panel, a window, a windshield, a seat, etc. Pathogens may belocated on the surfaces, and the computer 110 can actuate one or morecomponents to sanitize the surfaces. Surfaces can include, e.g., a seatcushion, a window pane, a dashboard, a rearview mirror, etc. The thermalsensor 115 can be, e.g., an infrared sensor 115 that detects infrared(IR) electromagnetic waves emitted by the surfaces, i.e.,electromagnetic waves having wavelengths between 700-1000 nanometers(nm). The computer 110 can determine the temperature of the surfacebased on the collected data about the IR waves using a conventionalcorrelation, e.g., blackbody radiation charts, Kirchoffs law of thermalradiation, etc.

The computer 110 can identify one or more surfaces in the vehicle 105having a temperature below the temperature threshold. The surface can bein any compartment of the vehicle 105, e.g., the passenger cabin 200, atrunk, a cargo compartment, etc. That is, the surface identified inthermal data can have a temperature below the temperature threshold. Forexample, the identified surface can be a surface of a seat. In anotherexample, the surface can be a portion of a window. Upon identifying theone or more surfaces, the computer 110 can sanitize the surfaces byincreasing the temperature of the surface above the temperaturethreshold.

When air temperature in the passenger cabin 200 exceeds the temperaturethreshold, the computer 110 can actuate the thermal sensor 115 tocollect temperature data of a plurality of surfaces in the interior ofthe vehicle 105. As described above, a surface is a part of a componentor other part of the vehicle 105 exposed to the air of the passengercabin. While the temperature of the air may exceed the sanitizingtemperature, one or more surfaces may still be below the sanitizingtemperature. That is, the thermal properties of the material of thesurface may cause the surface to remain below the temperature threshold.For example, a material with a higher thermal conductivity than athermal conductivity of air requires more energy to exceed thetemperature threshold than the air does, and the material may thusremain below the temperature threshold even when the air is above thetemperature threshold.

The thermal sensor 115 can be, e.g., an infrared (IR) sensor 115 thatdetects a temperature of the surface. That is, the IR sensor 115 cancollect data about IR waves emitted by the surface, and the computer 110can, using conventional thermal models such as blackbody radiationalgorithms that use the Stefan-Boltzmann temperature law, determine thetemperature of the surface based on the IR waves emitted by the surface.That is, IR waves j are generated by a surface at a temperature Taccording to the Stefan-Boltzmann law:j=εσT ⁴  (1)where σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant and ε is an emissivity of thesurface. The emissivity ε can typically be approximated as 0.75-0.85 fortypical surfaces in a vehicle 105 and can be determined empirically bymeasuring the IR waves j emitted from the surface when the surface is ata specified temperature T. Thus, by retrieving a stored value for theemissivity ε, the computer 110 can determine a temperature T of asurface based on IR waves j detected by the thermal sensor 115.

The vehicle 105 can include at least one ultraviolet (UV) light 300. An“ultraviolet light” (“UV light”) 300 is an emitter that emitselectromagnetic waves in the ultraviolet wavelength range, i.e., 100-400nm. The UV light 300 can emit UVC waves, i.e., waves having wavelengthsbetween 100-280 nm. UV waves can destroy pathogens when provided for aprescribed duration that is based on the distance between the UV light300 and the surface and an emission strength of the UV light 300 (i.e.,an amount of UV radiation that the UV light 300 can emit) toward thetarget surface. Actuating the UV light 300 toward a surface can reducepathogens (such as bacteria and viruses) on the surface. The computer110 can actuate an ultraviolet light 300 to sanitize a surface of thevehicle 105 to reduce pathogens in the vehicle 105.

The UV light 300 includes an emitter 305 that emits the UV waves. The UVlight 300 can include a motor that rotates the emitter 305 about ahemisphere. The emitter 305 can be movable along a hemisphere, i.e., oneor more motors can rotate the emitter 305 about two axes to emit UVwaves to surfaces of the passenger cabin 200. The emitter 305 can definean emission direction along which the UV waves travel. The computer 110can actuate the one or more motors to rotate the emitter 305 toward oneof the surfaces and can actuate the emitter 305 to emit UV waves towardthe surface. The UV light 300 can be movable to emit UV waves towardsubstantially all surfaces of the passenger cabin 200. In anotherexample, respective emitters 305 or two or more UV lights 300 can focustheir respective UV waves on a same surface to produce a greater amountof UV light than one emitter 305 can emit, allowing the UV lights 300 tosanitize surfaces outside of an emission range of one of the UV lights300 and/or to reduce the time required to sanitize the surface.

The vehicle 105 can include a motorized air vent 310. The passengercabin 200 can include a plurality of air vents 310 to direct air fromthe climate control component 230 to the passenger cabin 200. Each vent310 can include a respective motor to direct the air in the passengercabin 200. The vent 310 can be movable to direct air toward an occupant.That is, the motor can rotate fins of the air vent 310 to direct heatedair to a surface in the passenger cabin 200. For example, the motor canrotate the air vent 310 to direct heated air onto a vehicle seat. Inanother example, the motor can rotate the air vent 310 to direct heatedair onto a window. In another example, the motor can rotate the air vent310 to direct heated air onto a windshield. That is, the computer 110can actuate the motor to direct the air from the heater 205 through thevent 310 toward an identified surface that requires sanitizing.Directing the air onto the identified surface can increase thetemperature of the surface, sanitizing the surface.

The vehicle 105 can include a window heater 315. The window heater 315can include one or more devices that provide heat to a window and/or awindshield. For example, the window heater 315 can be a wire embedded ina window that, when passing electricity therethrough, heats thesurrounding glass of the window and/or the windshield. Alternatively, oradditionally, the window heater 315 can be a vent in fluidiccommunication with a climate control component 230 blower or fan thatblows heated air on the window and/or the windshield. Yet furtheralternatively or additionally, the window heater 315 can be infraredreflective (IRR) metalized particles disposed in the window, shown inbroken lines in FIG. 3 .

The computer 110 can actuate one or more of the components describedabove to sanitize the vehicle 105. To determine which components toactuate, the computer 110 can refer to a look-up table or the like. Thelook-up table can identify specific components to actuate based on anamount of heat and/or light that can reach the surface. That is, eachcolumn of the look-up table can be an amount of heat and/or lightreaching the surface, as determined by the sensors 115, and each row canlist one of the components to actuate. Thus, upon identifying an amountof heat and/or light reaching the surface, the computer 110 can identifythe column of the look-up table corresponding to the identified amountof light and/or heat and can actuate each component identified in thecolumn of the look-up table to sanitize the surface.

The passenger cabin 200 can include at least one mobility actuator 320and/or portable device 135. A “mobility actuator” 320 is a device thatallows actuation and mobility of the vehicle 105. The mobility actuator320 can be, e.g., a key, a fob, a portable device 135 with anapplication or like to communicate with the computer 110, etc. In thiscontext, “actuation” of the vehicle 105 means engaging the propulsionsubsystem 215 to allow the vehicle 105 to move. The mobility actuator320 and/or portable device 135 can initiate actuation and allow mobilityof the vehicle 105, preparing the vehicle 105 for use by a user. Forexample, the mobility actuator 320 could communicate with the computer110 over a vehicle network or communication bus to activate the vehicle105. In another example, the portable device 135 can communicate withthe computer 110 over the vehicle network or bus to activate the vehicle105 upon receiving input from a user.

The computer 110 can identify at least one of a mobility actuator 320(such as a key or a fob) and/or a portable device 135 (such as a phoneor tablet) that can operate the vehicle 105. That is, the mobilityactuator 320 and/or the or portable device 135 can actuate a lock orlatch on a vehicle 105 door and/or activate the vehicle 105 uponreceiving input from a user. Typically, upon identifying the mobilityactuator 320 and/or portable device 135, the computer 110 can preventthe vehicle doors 225 from locking when no user is in the passengercabin 200, preventing the user from being unable to unlock or unlatchthe doors 225 because the mobility actuator 320 and/or portable device135 is locked in the passenger cabin 200. That is, the computer 110prevents the user from locking the mobility actuator 320 in thepassenger cabin 200. To prevent entry into the vehicle 105 during thesanitizing operation, the computer 110 can suppress this lock preventionfeature, allowing the doors 225 to lock while the mobility actuator 320and/or the portable device 135 is in the passenger cabin 200. Thecomputer 110 can notify the user, e.g., to a portable device 135 of theuser, that the lock prevention feature of the mobility actuator 320and/or the portable device 135 in the vehicle 105 is suppressed untilthe sanitizing operation is complete and the vehicle 105 is unlocked.

While the temperature in the passenger cabin 200 is above the sanitizingtemperature, the computer 110 can suppress instructions from themobility actuator 320 and/or portable device 135 to unlock the doorsand/or move the vehicle 105. That is, while the heater 205 sanitizes thepassenger cabin 200, the computer 110 prevents mobility of the vehicle105 and/or unlocking the door 225, preventing entry into the vehicle105. When the heater 205 finishes sanitizing the vehicle 105, thecomputer 110 can allow the mobility actuator 320 and/or portable device135 to unlock the doors and/or activate the vehicle 105 when thetemperature of the passenger cabin falls below a second temperaturethreshold, as described above.

As described above, upon identifying the mobility actuator 320 and/orportable device 135, the computer 110 can prevent the vehicle 105 doorsfrom locking when no user is in the passenger cabin, preventing the userfrom being unable to unlock or unlatch the vehicle 105 doors because themobility actuator 320 and/or portable device 135 is locked in thepassenger cabin. The computer 110 can override this lock prevention uponactuating the heater 205, locking the vehicle doors 225 while themobility actuator 320 and/or portable device 135 is in the passengercabin 200 without the user. When the sanitizing operation is complete,the computer 110 can receive an input from, e.g., a second mobilityactuator 320, a second portable device 135 external to the vehicle 105,a keypad mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle 105, an unlockinstruction from the network 125 sent from a computer external to thevehicle 105, etc., to unlock the vehicle 105. The computer 110 canunlock the vehicle 105 according to the input when the temperature ofpassenger cabin 200 falls below the second threshold, as describedabove.

The computer 110 can actuate a vehicle security subsystem 120 to detertheft of contents or prevent mobility of the vehicle 105 duringsanitizing of the passenger cabin 200. The vehicle security subsystem120 provides security for the user of the vehicle 105 by identifyingand/or preventing threats to the vehicle 105 and preventing unauthorizeduser access to a cabin of the vehicle 105 and/or preventing the vehicle105 from moving during the sanitizing operation. Preventing access tothe vehicle 105 and mobility of the vehicle 105 while sanitizing thepassenger cabin protects objects in the vehicle 105 from theft andprevents external users from disrupting the sanitizing operation and/orintroducing pathogens to the vehicle 105. When the heater 205 isdeactivated and the sanitizing operation is completed, the computer 110can deactivate the vehicle security subsystem 120 to allow access toand/or mobility of the vehicle 105. That is, upon completion of thesanitizing operation, the computer 110 can return the vehicle securitysubsystems 120 to a default security state and allow users to use thevehicle 105.

The computer 110 can actuate a proximity motion sensor 115 to detectmovement of objects within a predetermined distance from the sensor 115during the sanitizing operation. That is, when a moving object externalto the vehicle 105 moves within the predetermined distance, theproximity motion sensor 115 can identify the moving object. Thepredetermined distance can be determined by, e.g., a manufacturer. Todetect movement, the proximity motion sensor 115 can be programmed todetect speeds of objects above one or more thresholds. For example, theproximity motion sensor 115 can be programmed to detect a speed of anobject above a first threshold when the vehicle 105 is not in thesanitizing operation and above a second threshold during a sanitizingoperation. The second threshold can be lower than the first threshold,i.e., the proximity motion sensor 115 can detect more objects exceedingthe second threshold than exceeding the first threshold. Decreasing thethreshold increases the sensitivity of the proximity motion sensor 115,increasing the number of objects detected. Increasing the number ofobjects detected improves the security of the vehicle 105 by identifyingadditional objects that could interrupt the sanitizing operation.

The computer 110 can suppress a proximity motion sensor 115 in aninterior of the vehicle 105 during the sanitizing operation. That is,the vehicle 105 can include one or more proximity motion sensors 115 inthe interior of the vehicle 105 programmed to detect objects moving inthe vehicle 105. To “suppress” the proximity motion sensor 115 means todecrease sensitivity of the proximity motion sensor 115 (e.g., byincreasing a speed threshold described above) and/or to deactivate theproximity motion sensor 115. The computer 110 can disregard data fromthe proximity motion sensors 115 related to detection of motion ofobjects within the cabin as a precaution against false triggers whichcould result from vibration of objects in the passenger cabin 200 causedby operation of the propulsion subsystem 215 of the vehicle 105 togenerate power for the sanitizing operation.

The computer 110 can actuate a camera 115 that can detect objectsexternal to the vehicle 105. That is, the camera 115 can collect one ormore images and the computer 110 can use a conventional object-detectionalgorithm (e.g., Canny edge detection, deep learning object detection,etc.) to identify one or more objects external to the vehicle 105. Thecamera 115 can record video data, i.e., sequences of images at aspecified frame rate (e.g., 24 frames per second) of the objectsexternal to the vehicle. The computer 110 can upload the video data tothe server 130 for, e.g., diagnostic and/or regulatory analysis.

The computer 110 can provide output to notify users that the sanitizingoperation is occurring and can further notify users of objects thatcould interfere with the sanitizing operation. Notifying users that thesanitizing operation is occurring can prevent users from inadvertentlydisturbing the sanitizing operation and/or introducing pathogens to thevehicle 105. For example, upon identifying an object with a proximitymotion sensor 115 and/or a camera sensor 115, the computer 110 canprovide output indicating that an object is proximate. In anotherexample, the computer 110 can provide output upon actuating the heater205. In another example, if a user touches, e.g., grasps, a door latch220 during the sanitizing operation, the computer 110 can provideoutput.

The notification output can include at least one of an audio, visual,and/or haptic output. For example, the computer 110 can actuate aspeaker to play a siren. In another example, the computer 110 canactuate one or more headlights in a periodic, flashing pattern. Inanother example, the computer 110 can actuate a vehicle horn. In anotherexample, the computer 110 can provide an audio message through thespeaker to warn the user that the sanitizing operation is occurring.

The computer 110 can identify and classify an object in the passengercabin 200. To “classify” an object is to assign a type or class to anobject. For example, the computer 110 can classify an object in thepassenger cabin as “electronic device” or “luggage” or “frozengroceries.” Some objects may be damaged when heated by the heater 205,e.g., frozen groceries may thaw. In one example, an object so classifiedcould be an animate or inanimate object. To prevent damage toheat-sensitive objects, the computer 110 classifies the objects anddetermines whether, based on the classification, objects that may bedamaged when heated by the heater 205. The computer 110 can identify andclassify the object with a conventional image-recognition technique,e.g., Canny edge detection, deep machine learning, etc., with a cameraand/or a thermal sensor 115, whereby an object can be detected in animage and classified. Based on the classification, the computer 110 canprevent actuation of the heater 205. For example, if the classificationof the object is an “electronic device” that may be damaged by thetemperature required to sanitize the passenger cabin, the computer 110can prevent actuation of the heater 205 and output a message to the userthat the object classified as “electronic device” is in the passengercabin 200.

Criteria to Initiate Sanitizing Operation

The computer 110 can receive input to begin, i.e., initiate, asanitizing operation. For example, a user can provide input to, e.g., aportable device 135 in communication with the computer 110 via thenetwork 125 and/or a via wired or wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth®or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, a user can provide theinput to a vehicle human-machine interface (HMI), e.g., a touchscreendisplay such as an in-cabin, phone, or Internet-based HMI, a numerickeypad disposed on a vehicle door 225, etc.

The computer 110 can sanitize the vehicle 105 based on a currentlocation of the vehicle 105. The “location” of the vehicle 105 is a setof geo-coordinates at which the vehicle 105 is located. Use of one ormore components and/or devices such as may be selected for sanitizingmay be prohibited, e.g., according to local regulations. For example, acertain location may disallow remote operation of a heater 205 to complywith noise regulations, such as a remote start operation of thepropulsion subsystem 215. In another example, a certain location maydisallow certain heaters 205, e.g., that burn combustible fuels, tocomply with air quality regulations. The computer 110 can actuatecomponents to perform the sanitizing operation that comply with allregulations in effect at the location of the vehicle 105. Additionally,the computer 110 can receive an instruction from the server 130 toactuate one or more components that may typically be restricted by theregulations in effect at the location of the vehicle 105 upon approvalby local municipal authorities.

The computer 110 can identify an insolation of a location of the vehicle105. In this context, “insolation” is an amount of solar radiation in aspecified geographic area and can be measured in Watts per square meter(W/m²). The computer 110 can predict the insolation at the locationbased on, e.g., insolation models, a time of day, a current date,weather forecast data, vehicle orientation, etc. The insolation canincrease the temperature in the passenger cabin 200 as the insolationpasses through the windows and windshield of the vehicle 105. That is,based on conventional insolation thermal models that use theStefan-Boltzmann temperature law j=εσT⁴, where j is the insolation data,the computer 110 can determine an increase in temperature T of thepassenger cabin 200 caused by the insolation j. As described above,electromagnetic waves j can be emitted by a surface at a temperature Taccording to the Stefan-Boltzmann temperature law, and absorbedelectromagnetic waves j can increase a temperature of a surfaceaccording to the Stefan-Boltzmann temperature law. That iselectromagnetic waves j from the sun (i.e., insolation) can, based onthe thermal models, increase the temperature in the passenger cabin 200relative to the ambient external temperature, and the computer 110 canactuate the heater 205 to heat the passenger cabin 200 from thisincreased temperature to a sanitizing temperature. Alternatively, oradditionally, the computer 110 can use a machine learning program (e.g.,a deep neural network, a gradient boosted tree, etc.) trained to receiveinputs of a location, a time of day, a current date, and/or weatherdata, and to output the insolation. The machine learning program can betrained using, e.g., sets of training data including specifiedlocations, times of day, dates, and weather annotated with theinsolation, and a cost function of the machine learning program can beminimized to train the machine learning program to output theinsolation.

The insolation data can include a direction of the highest insolation,that is, a direction along which the rays from the sun have a greatestintensity, i.e., a highest Watts per square meter. That is, thedirection of the highest insolation can be included in the insolationdata based on the current time and the location of the vehicle 105,i.e., the solar radiation defines an angle with the ground based on thelatitude at which the vehicle 105 is located and the current time ofday. This angle, i.e., the direction of highest insolation, can bedetermined with, e.g., conventional solar radiation models, a sensor 115programmed to collect insolation data, etc. The computer 110 can, uponidentifying the direction of highest insolation, move the vehicle 105 toalign the identified surface with the direction of highest insolation.That is, the computer 110 can move the vehicle 105 so that theidentified surface is along the direction of highest insolation,receiving the most insolation compared to any other orientation of thevehicle 105. For example, the computer 110 can determine an angle ofincidence between the insolation and the surface by comparing thedirection of highest insolation and image data of the surface. Thecomputer 110 can determine an orientation of the vehicle 105 thatadjusts the angle of incidence closest to a vector normal to the surfaceby rotating a virtual model of the vehicle 105 until the direction ofhighest insolation is normal to the surface. That is, when theinsolation is normal to the identified surface, the highest amount ofirradiance from the insolation contacts the identified surface comparedto other angles of incidence, increasing the insolation absorbed by thesurface and thus increasing the temperature of the surface. The computercan then move the vehicle 105 to position a surface to be as aligned asclosely as possible, given constraints of the physical world, with thehighest insolation predicted by the virtual model.

Alternatively, or additionally, the computer 110 can output a message toa user with instructions to move the vehicle 105 to align the identifiedsurface with the direction of highest insolation. When the insolationreaches the surface, the insolation increases the temperature of thesurface, sanitizing the surface. Yet alternatively, or additionally, thecomputer 110 can move the vehicle 105 so that solar radiation along thedirection of highest insolation enters through an east-facing windowwhen the current time is before noon and the solar radiation along thedirection of highest insolation enters through a west-facing window whenthe current time is after noon. That is, the computer 110 can determinean orientation of the vehicle 105 relative to the direction of highestinsolation that accounts for the western movement of the sun and thechanges in the direction of highest insolation as the sun moves westwardalong the sky.

The computer 110 can identify an ultraviolet irradiance of theinsolation data, i.e., an amount of UV waves in the insolation,typically measured in Watts per square meter. That is, the insolationdata can include data about wavelengths of the insolation, and thecomputer 110 can determine an intensity (measured in Watts per squaremeter) of radiation having wavelengths in the UV range, i.e., 100-400 nmas described above. The computer 110 can open one or more windows whenthe ultraviolet irradiance of insolation data collected by one or moresensors 115 exceeds an irradiance threshold. The irradiance thresholdcan be determined based on, e.g., empirical testing of UV irradiancereducing pathogens. That is, empirical testing can include test vehicles105 that are irradiated with UV waves during the sanitizing operation.The testing can determine the amount of irradiance at which the numberof pathogens reduced by the UV irradiance exceeds the number ofpathogens reduced by air heated by the heater 205. This amount ofirradiance can be the irradiance threshold. Alternatively, oradditionally, the computer 110 can adjust a tint and/or images in anintegrated display to increase the transparency of the window, allowinginsolation that would be typically blocked by the tint and/or the imagesof the integrated display to enter the passenger cabin 200.

The computer 110 can predict an amount of energy use to heat thepassenger cabin 200 above the temperature threshold. That is, actuatingthe components uses energy from the battery and/or liquid fuel, and thecomputer 110 can predict the amount of electricity from the batteryand/or the amount of fuel required to heat the passenger cabin 200. Thecomputer 110 can predict the amount of energy used based on a predictedamount of power provided to the heater and a predicted duration time ofactuation of the heater 205. The computer 110 can predict the amount ofpower provided to the heater 205 based on, e.g., a heater specification,empirical testing of heaters and test vehicles 105, actual or predictedinsolation, etc. That is, the computer 110 can use the heaterspecification to determine an amount of energy used by the heater 205for the duration time to increase the temperature of the passenger cabin200 to the sanitizing temperature. The computer 110 can predict theduration time of actuation of the heater 205 based on, e.g., thermalmodels, insolation, empirical testing of test vehicles 105, etc. Thecomputer 110 can predict the amount of fuel required to heat thepassenger cabin 200 based on, e.g., thermal models, insolation,empirical testing of test vehicle 105, etc.

Upon predicting the amount of energy use, the computer 110 can determinean energy level of the vehicle 105. An “energy level” of the vehicle 105is a current volume of fuel or battery charge of the vehicle 105, e.g.,available on a vehicle 105 communications bus from one or more sensors115. In some examples, a vehicle 105 includes a first energy level and asecond energy level, e.g., a first energy level of liquid fuel and asecond energy level specifying a state of charge of a battery orbatteries. For example, the computer 110 can actuate a sensor 115 todetect a volume of fuel in a fuel tank and/or a second sensor 115 todetect a charge of a vehicle battery. The volume of fuel and/or thecharge of the vehicle battery can be the “energy level.” That is, theheater 205 may use liquid fuel from the fuel tank and/or electric energyfrom the battery to heat the passenger cabin 200, and the propulsionsubsystem 215 can restore electric energy to the battery using liquidfuel to rotate, e.g., an alternator. Thus, an energy level of thevehicle 105 can include one or two values: the volume of fuel and thecharge of the vehicle battery. The computer 110 can receive the volumeof fuel and the charge of the vehicle battery from one or more sensors115, as described above. The computer 110 can output to a user device orHMI the energy level of the vehicle 105 determined from the sensor 115data and the predicted amount of energy use to heat the passenger cabin200. The computer 110 can also output to a user device or HMI the amountof power and/or fuel provided to the heater 205 and the duration time ofactuation of the heater 205. The computer 110 can compare the energylevel determined from the sensors 115 to the predicted amount of energyto be used to perform the sanitizing operation. If the predicted amountof energy use exceeds the energy level of the vehicle 105, the computer110 can output a message to the user device or HMI that the sanitizingoperation cannot be performed because the energy level of the vehicle105 is insufficient to perform the sanitizing operation.

When the temperature of the passenger cabin 200 exceeds the threshold,the computer 110 can output a message to a second computer that thetemperature of the passenger cabin 200 exceeds the threshold. Forexample, the computer 110 can output the message to the portable device135 of the user that the passenger cabin 200 has reached the sanitizingtemperature. In another example, the computer 110 can output the messageto the server 130, and the user can access the server 130 from, e.g.,the portable device 135 for the output that the sanitizing temperaturehas been reached.

The computer 110 can predict a time period for the passenger cabin 200to cool from the sanitizing temperature to a second temperature below asecond threshold. Upon sanitizing the vehicle 105, the computer 110 candetermine when the vehicle 105 will cool enough to be occupied by ahuman. That is, the second threshold can be a predetermined value atwhich the vehicle 105 is sufficiently cooled for human occupancy. Forexample, the second threshold can be, e.g., 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Inanother example, the second threshold can be the ambient temperature ofthe air around the vehicle 105, as described above. The computer 110 canpredict the time period based on conventional thermal models such as aconduction heat transfer model that receives the temperature of thepassenger cabin 200 and the second threshold as input and outputs thetime for the temperature of the passenger cabin 200 to decrease to thesecond threshold.

The computer 110 can determine whether the vehicle 105 has been used byanother user since a previous sanitizing operation was performed. Ifanother user has used the vehicle 105 since a previous sanitizingoperation was performed, the other user may have introduced pathogensinto the vehicle 105, and the user and/or the computer 110 can determineto perform the sanitizing operation. If no user has used the vehicle 105since the passenger cabin 200 was previously heated to above thetemperature threshold, and the passenger cabin 200 is secure (i.e., alldoors, windows, and sun roof, if present, are in respective closedpositions), the computer 110 can output that the vehicle 105 has notbeen used since the last sanitizing operation. The user can provideinput not to actuate the heater 205. Alternatively, or additionally, thecomputer 110 determine not to initiate the sanitizing operation if nouser has used the vehicle 105 since the passenger cabin 200 waspreviously sanitized.

Upon completing the sanitizing operation, the computer 110 can transmitdata to the server 130 about the sanitizing operation. The data caninclude, e.g., a date and time at which the sanitizing operationinitiated, a time at which the sanitizing operation completed, alocation (e.g., geo-coordinates) of the vehicle 105 during thesanitizing operation, an elapsed time of the sanitizing operation, amaximum temperature of the passenger cabin 200 during the sanitizingoperation, the criteria that caused initiation of the sanitizingoperation, criteria ending the sanitizing operation, etc. The data inthe server 130 about the sanitizing operation can be used for, e.g.,statistical analysis by a manufacturer about sanitizing operations ofvehicles 105, regulatory compliance for municipalities, etc.

Initiation Time of Sanitizing Operation

Upon receiving input to initiate sanitization, the computer 110 candetermine one or more candidate initiation times to actuate one or moreheaters 205 to sanitize the passenger cabin 200. An “initiation time” isa time at which the computer 110 actuates a heater 205 and/or a UV light300 to initiate the sanitizing operation. A “candidate” initiation timeis a proposed initiation time that can be confirmed by input to thecomputer 110, e.g., via a portable device 135. The candidate initiationtimes can include, e.g., a current time to immediately begin heating thepassenger cabin 200. The computer 110 can output the candidateinitiation times for display on a vehicle HMI or, more typically, aportable device 135. A second input, e.g., provided by a user via adevice 135, can identify one of the initiation times. The computer 110can initiate the sanitizing operation at the identified initiation time.

Input to initiate a sanitizing operation can include a time of next usefor the vehicle 105. That is, the user can provide the computer 110 withan upcoming time at which the user plans to operate the vehicle 105,i.e., a specified “time of next use.” The computer 110 can identify thecandidate initiation times as times prior to the time of next use. Thatis, to finish sanitizing the vehicle 105 prior to the time of next use,the computer 110 can identify the candidate initiation times as timesthat are at least the time threshold prior to the time of next use. Forexample, the candidate initiation times can be at least 15 minutes priorto the time of next use. Alternatively, or additionally, the computer110 can identify one of the candidate initiation times as a time ofpredicted maximum insolation prior to the time of next use.

Input to initiate the sanitizing operation can include a predictedinsolation, as described above. For example, the computer 110 candetermine a maximum predicted insolation, i.e., a time at which theinsolation is predicted to be highest on a specific day. One of thecandidate initiation times can be the time at which the maximumpredicted insolation is predicted to occur.

The computer 110 can determine the candidate initiation times based onwhether the vehicle 105 is in an enclosed space, as described above. Ifthe vehicle 105 is in an enclosed space, operation of the vehicle 105may be limited to a specified time period to reduce exhaust accumulationfrom an internal combustion engine. If the computer 110 determines thatthe time to complete the sanitizing operation would exceed the specifiedtime period, the computer 110 can request the user to move the vehicle105 out from the enclosed space.

The computer 110 can determine one of the candidate initiation timessuch that the predicted time period for the passenger cabin 200 to coolfrom the sanitizing temperature to a second temperature below a secondthreshold would elapse prior to the time of next use provided by theuser, allowing the sanitizing operation to complete prior to the time ofnext use. The computer 110 can output the time period to the user, e.g.,to the portable device 135. If the user determines that the time periodwould extend past a planned time of next use, the user can providesecond input not to sanitize the vehicle 105.

The computer 110 can output a message to the user with the candidateinitiation times, as described above. Additionally, the computer 110 caninclude data described above in the message, e.g., the identifiedobjects, the ambient temperature data, the insolation data, etc. Basedon the additional data, the user can provide the second input indicatingone of the candidate initiation times. For example, the user can selectone of the initiation times based on the predicted energy use to performthe sanitizing operation. When the computer 110 receives the selectedinitiation time, the computer 110 initiates the sanitizing operation atthe selected initiation time.

Based on the selected initiation time, the computer 110 can extend apreviously determined operation time of the vehicle 105. When thecomputer 110 is not performing the sanitizing operation, the computer110 can deactivate the vehicle 105 after a predetermined period of timewithout input from the user. The predetermined period of time is an“operation time,” and can be determined to maintain a specified energylevel, as described above, for the next use of the vehicle 105. Forexample, the operation time can be 15 minutes for a vehicle 105 with afully electric propulsion subsystem 215. In another example, theoperation time can be 60 minutes for a vehicle 105 with an internalcombustion engine. If the operation time elapses during the sanitizingoperation, the computer 110 can extend the operation time until thesanitizing operation completes, deactivating the vehicle 105 only aftercompletion of the sanitizing operation.

Processing

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a process 400 for sanitizing a vehicle 105. Theprocess 400 begins in a block 405, in which a computer 110 of thevehicle 105 actuates a propulsion subsystem 215 to increase atemperature of engine coolant. As described above, a climate controlcomponent 230 can use heated engine coolant to increase a temperature ofa passenger cabin 200 of the vehicle 105.

Next, in a block 410, the computer 110 actuates a heater 205. The heater205 can be part of the climate control component 230, e.g., a resistivecoil heater. Alternatively, or additionally, the heater 205 can be aseparate component in the passenger cabin 200 of the vehicle 105. Theheater 205 can increase the temperature of the passenger cabin 200. Thatis, a working fluid such as air can pass over the heater 205, heatingthe air and transferring heat from the heater 205 to the passenger cabin200. In the example of FIG. 4 , both the propulsion subsystem 215 andthe heater 205 provide heat to the passenger cabin 200 in blocks 405 and410. Alternatively, one of blocks 405 or 410 can be omitted, i.e., thecomputer 110 can actuate one of the heater 205 or the propulsionsubsystem 215.

Next, in a block 415, the computer 110 provides air through the heater205 and/or the propulsion subsystem 215 to heat the passenger cabin 200.As described above, the climate control component 230 can include an airblower 235 to move air past the engine coolant and/or the heater 205,transferring heat from the engine coolant and/or the heater 205 to thepassenger cabin 200. For example, the climate control component 230 caninclude one or more heat exchangers to transfer heat from the enginecoolant and/or the heater 205 to the air.

Next, in a block 420, the computer 110 determines whether thetemperature of air in the passenger cabin 200 exceeds a temperaturethreshold. As described above, the temperature threshold can be asanitizing temperature, i.e., a temperature at which specified pathogensare reduced by a specified amount. For example, according to data fromthe World Health Organization (WHO) about Severe Acute RespiratorySyndrome (SARS) coronavirus survivability, the temperature threshold canbe 133 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) to kill 10000 viruses. Ifthe temperature of the air in the passenger cabin 200 exceeds thethreshold, the process 400 continues in a block 425. Otherwise, theprocess 400 returns to the block 415 to provide more heated air to thepassenger cabin 200.

Next, in a block 425, the computer 110 determines whether an elapsedtime that the temperature of the passenger cabin 200 has been above thethreshold exceeds a time threshold. As described above, the timethreshold can be a time at which a specified amount of pathogens arereduced. For example, according to the WHO data above, the timethreshold can be 15 minutes to kill 10000 viruses. If the elapsed timeexceeds the threshold, the process 400 continues in a block 430.Otherwise, the process 400 returns to the block 415 to provide moreheated air to maintain the temperature of the passenger cabin 200 abovethe temperature threshold.

In the block 430, the computer 110 deactivates the heater 205 and thepropulsion subsystem 215. Deactivating the heater 205 and the propulsionsubsystem 215 allows the passenger cabin 200 to cool to a temperatureusable by a user, e.g., 80 degrees Fahrenheit. That is, upon sanitizingthe vehicle 105, the computer 110 can cease heating the passenger cabin200. Following the block 430, the process 400 ends.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example process 500 for determining aninitiation time to heat a vehicle 105. The process 500 begins in a block505, in which a computer 110 in the vehicle 105 receives input from anexternal portable device 135 to sanitize the vehicle 105. A user of thevehicle 105 can provide input to the portable device 135 instructing thecomputer 110 to sanitize the vehicle 105, and the portable device 135can transmit the input over the network 125 to the computer 110.

Next, in a block 510, the computer 110 determines one or more candidateinitiation times to initiate a heater to begin sanitizing the vehicle105. The computer 110 can determine the candidate initiation times basedon data collected in the vehicle 105. For example, the computer 110 candetermine an insolation of the location at which the vehicle 105 islocated and can select one of the candidate initiation times based on atime at which the insolation is highest. Additionally, or alternatively,the computer 110 can predict an amount of energy use required tosanitize the vehicle 105 and can select one of the candidate initiationtimes based on the predicted amount of energy use.

Next, in a block 515, the computer 110 outputs the candidate initiationtimes to the user. The computer 110 can send a message to the portabledevice 135 over the network 125 with the candidate initiation times. Themessage can include additional data, e.g., a predicted amount of energyuse, a predicted time for the passenger cabin 200 to cool aftercompleting the sanitizing operation, etc. Input to the portable device135 can, based on the additional data, select one of the candidateinitiation times, as described above.

Next, in a block 520, the computer 110 receives a second input from theportable device 135. The second input can include a selection of one ofthe candidate initiation times. Alternatively, the second input caninclude a command to cease the sanitizing operation.

Next, in a block 525, the computer 110 can actuate a heater 205 to heatthe vehicle 105 according at the selected initiation time. The computer110 can heat the passenger cabin 200 above the temperature threshold foran elapsed time exceeding a time threshold, as described above, tosanitize the vehicle 105. When the elapsed time exceeds the timethreshold, the computer 110 can deactivate the heater 205. Following theblock 525, the process 500 ends.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example process 600 for sanitizing asurface in a vehicle 105. The process 600 begins in a block 605, inwhich a computer 110 of the vehicle 105 actuates a thermal sensor 115 inthe passenger cabin 200. As described above, the thermal sensor 115detects temperatures of surfaces in the passenger cabin 200. Thecomputer 110 can actuate the thermal sensor 115 when a temperature ofair in the passenger cabin 200 exceeds a temperature threshold, e.g., asanitizing temperature as described above.

Next, in a block 610, the computer 110 determines whether the data fromthe thermal sensor 115 indicate a surface in the passenger cabin 200that is below the temperature threshold. As described above, a surfacein the passenger cabin 200 can be below the temperature threshold, andthe computer 110 can identify the surface as the area of the surfacebelow the temperature threshold. If the computer 110 identifies asurface below the temperature threshold, the process 600 continues in ablock 615. Otherwise, the process 600 continues in a block 620.

In the block 615, the computer 110 actuates one or more components tosanitize the surface as described above. For example, the computer 110can actuate an ultraviolet light 300 to direct ultravioletelectromagnetic waves to the surface. Additionally, or alternatively,the computer 110 can actuate a motor in an air vent 310 to direct heatedair to the surface. Additionally, or alternatively, the computer 110 canactuate a window heater 315 to heat glass of a window. Additionally, oralternatively, the computer 110 can identify a direction of maximuminsolation and can move the vehicle 105 so that the surface is along thedirection of maximum insolation. As described above, the computer 110can refer to a look-up table or the like to identify which of the one ormore components to actuate to sanitize the surface based on an amount ofheat and/or light that can reach the surface.

In the block 620, the computer 110 determines whether an elapsed timehas exceeded a time threshold. As described above, upon sanitizing thesurfaces below the temperature threshold and the elapsed time that thetemperature of the passenger cabin 200 exceeds the temperature thresholdexceeds the time threshold, the computer 110 can determine that thepassenger cabin 200 is sanitized. If the elapsed time exceeds the timethreshold, the process 600 ends. Otherwise, the process 600 returns tothe block 610.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example process 700 actuating a securitysubsystem 120 of a vehicle 105. The process 700 begins in a block 705,in which a computer 110 of the vehicle 105 determines whether there hasbeen a request to initiate a sanitizing operation. As described above,the computer 110 can receive a request to initiate a sanitizingoperation to sanitize the passenger cabin 200. For example, the computer110 can receive the request from a portable device 135 of a user of thevehicle 105. If the sanitizing operation is initiated, the process 700continues in a block 710. Otherwise, the process 700 continues in ablock 725.

In the block 710, the computer 110 actuates one or more vehicle securitysubsystems 120. As described above, a “vehicle security subsystem” 120is a component or device that performs an action to prevent access tothe passenger cabin 200 and/or prevent mobility of the vehicle 105. Forexample, the computer 110 can actuate an internal lock on a door latch220 of a vehicle door 225. In another example, the computer 110 canrestrict a transmission 210 to a park mode. In another example, thecomputer 110 can deactivate an identified mobility actuator 320 in thepassenger cabin 200. In another example, the computer 110 can actuate aproximity motion sensor 115 and/or a camera 115 to detect objects nearthe vehicle 105.

Next, in a block 715, the computer 110 receives an instruction to enablemobility the vehicle 105 has been received. A user can provide input toa portable device 135 to allow mobility the vehicle 105. As describedabove, “mobility” is the ability for the vehicle 105 to move from acurrent position, e.g., by the transmission 210 transferring output fromthe propulsion subsystem 215 to the wheels. That is, the user canprovide input to allow the vehicle 105 to move from its currentposition. The portable device 135 can transmit the input over thenetwork 125 to the computer 110.

Next, in a block 720, the computer 110 determines whether the sanitizingoperation is complete. As described above, the computer 110 candetermine that the sanitizing operation is complete when a temperatureof the passenger cabin 200 exceeds a temperature threshold for anelapsed time exceeding a time threshold. If the sanitizing operation iscomplete, the process 700 continues in the block 725. Otherwise, theprocess 700 remains in the block 720.

In the block 725, the computer 110 enables mobility of the vehicle 105.As described above, the computer 110 can allow the transmission 210 totransfer output from the propulsion subsystem 215 to the wheels to allowmobility of the vehicle 105. The computer 110 can return the vehiclesecurity subsystems to a default security state. For example, thecomputer 110 can change a threshold of a proximity motion sensor 115 toa default threshold. Following the block 725, the process 700 ends.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example process 800 for operating a climatecontrol component 230 of a vehicle 105. The process 800 begins in ablock 805, in which a computer 110 receives an instruction to heat apassenger cabin 200. As described above, the computer 110 can receive aninstruction to begin a sanitizing operation by heating the passengercabin 200 to a temperature above a temperature threshold.

Next, ion a block 810, the computer 110 actuates a propulsion subsystem215 to increase a temperature of engine coolant. As described above, theengine coolant can provide heat to heat the passenger cabin 200. Theclimate control component 230 can use heat from the engine coolant toheat the passenger cabin 200.

Next, in a block 815, the computer 110 suppresses an air blower 235 ofthe climate control component 230. As described above, the air blower235 prevents introduction of air external to the vehicle 105 to heat thevehicle 105 when a temperature of the ambient air exceeds thetemperature of the passenger cabin 200. By suppressing the air blower235, the computer 110 can introduce air external to the vehicle 105 toheat the passenger cabin 200.

Next, in a block 820, the computer 110 determines whether thetemperature of the ambient air exceeds the temperature of the passengercabin 200. As described above, introducing ambient air that exceeds thetemperature of the passenger cabin 200 can heat the passenger cabin 200more quickly than heating the air in the passenger cabin 200. If theambient air temperature exceeds the temperature of the passenger cabin200, the process 800 continues in a block 825. Otherwise, the process800 continues in a block 830.

In the block 825, the computer 110 actuates an air pump 240 to introduceair external to the vehicle 105 to the passenger cabin 200. The air pump240 can be, e.g., a motorized extractor that pumps external air into thevehicle 105. The air pump 240 can introduce the air to the heater 205and/or the propulsion 215, heating the air.

In the block 830, the computer 110 determines whether the temperature ofthe passenger cabin 200 exceeds a temperature threshold. As describedabove, the temperature threshold can be a sanitizing temperature. If thetemperature of the passenger cabin 200 exceeds the temperaturethreshold, the process 800 continues in a block 835. Otherwise, theprocess 800 remains in the block 830.

In the block 835, the computer 110 determines whether an elapsed timesince the temperature of the passenger cabin 200 exceeded thetemperature threshold exceeds a time threshold. As described above, thetime threshold can be a time to eliminate a specified amount ofpathogens. If the elapsed time exceeds the time threshold, the process800 continues in a block 840. Otherwise, the process 800 remains in theblock 835.

In the block 840, the computer 110 actuates the air pump 240 to expelthe air from the passenger cabin 200. The air pump 240 can remove theheated air from the passenger cabin 200 and out of the vehicle 105.Expelling the air from the passenger cabin 200 cools the passenger cabinby replacing the heated air with colder ambient air. Following the block840, the process 800 ends.

Computing devices discussed herein, including the computer 110, includeprocessors and memories, the memories generally each includinginstructions executable by one or more computing devices such as thoseidentified above, and for carrying out blocks or steps of processesdescribed above. Computer-executable instructions may be compiled orinterpreted from computer programs created using a variety ofprogramming languages and/or technologies, including, withoutlimitation, and either alone or in combination, Java™, C, C++, VisualBasic, Java Script, Python, Perl, HTML, etc. In general, a processor(e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from a memory, acomputer-readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions, therebyperforming one or more processes, including one or more of the processesdescribed herein. Such instructions and other data may be stored andtransmitted using a variety of computer-readable media. A file in thecomputer 110 is generally a collection of data stored on acomputer-readable medium, such as a storage medium, a random-accessmemory, etc.

A computer-readable medium includes any medium that participates inproviding data (e.g., instructions), which may be read by a computer110. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to,non-volatile media, volatile media, etc. Non-volatile media include, forexample, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatilemedia include dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), which typicallyconstitutes a main memory. Common forms of computer-readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD ROM, DVD, any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EEPROM, any othermemory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer 110can read.

With regard to the media, processes, systems, methods, etc. describedherein, it should be understood that, although the steps of suchprocesses, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certainordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the describedsteps performed in an order other than the order described herein. Itfurther should be understood that certain steps could be performedsimultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain stepsdescribed herein could be omitted. For example, in the process 500, oneor more of the steps could be omitted, or the steps could be executed ina different order than shown in FIG. 5 . In other words, thedescriptions of systems and/or processes herein are provided for thepurpose of illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way beconstrued so as to limit the disclosed subject matter.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present disclosure,including the above description and the accompanying figures and belowclaims, is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Manyembodiments and applications other than the examples provided would beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the abovedescription. The scope of the invention should be determined, not withreference to the above description, but should instead be determinedwith reference to claims appended hereto and/or included in anon-provisional patent application based hereon, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It isanticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the artsdiscussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will beincorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should beunderstood that the disclosed subject matter is capable of modificationand variation.

The article “a” modifying a noun should be understood as meaning one ormore unless stated otherwise, or context requires otherwise. The phrase“based on” encompasses being partly or entirely based on.

Ordinal adjectives such as “first” and “second” are used throughout thisdocument as identifiers and are not intended to signify importance ororder.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising a computer including aprocessor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable bythe processor to: heat a passenger cabin of a vehicle; and actuate avehicle security subsystem to prevent entry into the vehicle uponinitiation of a cabin sanitizing operation, wherein the sanitizingoperation includes actuating a heater to heat the passenger cabin abovea temperature threshold.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theinstructions to actuate the vehicle security subsystem includeinstructions to restrict a transmission to a park mode.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the instructions further include instructions toidentify at least one of a key, a fob, or a portable device programmedto unlock the vehicle in the passenger cabin and to suppress mobility ofthe vehicle by restricting the transmission to the park mode uponinitiation of the cabin sanitizing operation.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein the instructions further include instructions to allow mobilityof the vehicle upon completion of the cabin sanitizing operation and thevehicle is unlocked from one of a second key, a second fob, a secondportable device external to the vehicle programmed to unlock thevehicle, an external keypad, or a cellular telematic unlock command. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions to actuate the vehiclesecurity subsystem include instructions to prevent unlatching of avehicle door from one of an exterior door handle or a passenger cabininterior door handle.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the instructionsfurther include instructions to allow unlatching of the vehicle doorupon receiving a request from a portable device external to the vehicle,an external keypad, or a cellular telematic unlock command.
 7. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein a door latch is actuatable to prevent openingthe vehicle door from the exterior door handle and the interior doorhandle.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions to actuatethe vehicle security subsystem include instructions to actuate aproximity motion sensor to detect objects moving external to thevehicle.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the proximity motion sensorhas a first detection threshold and a second detection threshold that issmaller than the first detection threshold, and the instructions furtherinclude instructions to detect objects according to the second detectionthreshold upon initiation of the heater to sanitize the passenger cabin.10. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions to actuate thevehicle security subsystem include instructions to suppress a proximitymotion sensor programmed to detect objects moving in the passengercabin.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions to actuatethe vehicle security subsystem include instructions to deactivate a key,a fob, or a portable device stored in the passenger cabin.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the instructions further includeinstructions to output a message to a user that the key, the fob, or theportable device stored in the passenger cabin is deactivated.
 13. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the instructions to actuate the vehiclesecurity subsystem include instructions to actuate a camera to collectdata external to the vehicle.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein theinstructions further include instructions to, when one of: (1) thetemperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the temperature threshold foran elapsed time exceeding a time threshold, or (2) the heater isdeactivated to cease sanitizing the passenger cabin, actuate the vehiclesecurity subsystem to a default operation mode.
 15. The system of claim1, wherein the temperature threshold is a sanitizing temperature. 16.The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further includeinstructions to actuate a second heater disposed in the passenger cabinto heat the passenger cabin.
 17. A method, comprising: heating apassenger cabin of a vehicle; and actuating a vehicle security subsystemto prevent entry into the vehicle upon initiation of a cabin sanitizingoperation, wherein the sanitizing operation includes actuating a heaterto heat the passenger cabin above a temperature threshold.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising restricting a transmission to apark mode.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising preventingunlatching of a vehicle door from one of an exterior door handle or apassenger cabin interior door handle.
 20. The method of claim 17,further comprising, when one of: (1) the temperature of the passengercabin exceeds the temperature threshold for an elapsed time exceeding atime threshold, or (2) the heater is deactivated to cease sanitizing thepassenger cabin, actuating the vehicle security subsystem to a defaultoperation mode.